Optometrist

Summary

This position is located at the Prestonsburg - KY Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) location. The Hershel "Woody" Williams VAMC Optometry Service provides full-scope eye care in an outpatient setting. Optometrists within this service provide comprehensive eye care including the management of eye disease - consultations - and emergency and on-call services. They also perform related administrative duties as well as academic and research functions in support of eye care services.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed Optometrist(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

Basic Requirements

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.) in accordance with section 7402(c) to title 38 - United States Code (U.S.C)
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to 38 U.S.C.
• 7407(a)
• Education
• Degree of Doctor of Optometry resulting from a course of education in optometry
• The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools or colleges approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Approved schools are United States and Canadian schools or colleges of optometry listed as accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) - in the list published for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Licensure and Registration
• Optometrists must possess a current - full and unrestricted license to practice optometry - and maintain a current registration in a state - territory - or Commonwealth of the United States - or in the District of Columbia that requires successful passage of all parts of National Board of Examiners in Optometry intended for basic licensure
• The Optometrist must maintain current registration in the state of licensure if this is a requirement for continuing active - current licensure
• Residency Training or Comparable Experience
• Optometrists must have successfully completed residency training - approved by the Secretary of VA in an accredited post-graduate training program - or have comparable experience - as described below: Approved residencies are those with accredited or within pre-accredited status by the ACOE - in the list published for the year the residency was completed
• OR Two years of licensed clinical optometric practice in the United States consisting of active involvement in the management of medically complex patients
• English Language Proficiency
• Optometrists appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C.
• 7402(d) and 7407(d)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires a pre-employment physical
• Requires light lifting up to 25 pounds
• pushing
• bending
• reaching above the shoulder
• use of fingers and both hands
• walking and standing up to 8 hours
• Must meet visual requirements to perform assigned duties.
  
  

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• Duties include but not limited to the following: Clinical: Provides quality patient care to outpatients as assigned Keeps informed of developments in the management and treatment of eye and systemic diseases through continuing medical education - both formal and informal Successfully integrates patient care activities in Optometry Service and other patient care programs of the clinic and in the community Consistently demonstrates expertise in diagnosing and treating seriously ill - multi-symptomatic patients Revises work schedules and assignments on short notice to meet frequent - abrupt - and unpredictable changes in prescribed workloads and deadlines to meet performance targets Participates in multidisciplinary activities involving treatment plan and discharge of patients Participates as a peer reviewer when requested Provides other clinical services as assigned consistent with clinical privileges as assigned by the Chief - Optometry Service Administrative: Attends facility and service meetings and participates in committees as assigned by the Chief - Optometry Service Assists in the development and implementation of care programs in Optometry Service Performs other administrative duties as assigned by the Chief - Optometry Service Work Schedule: Full-time - Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Available
• Ad Hoc as determined by Agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary - annual performance bonus - regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory
• Contract: No Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting.